Alamosa, Colorado
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Alamosa is a city located in Alamosa County, Colorado. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 7,960. The city is the commercial center of the San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado. The San Luis Valley is the largest intermountain valley in the world and features a dry climate with long cold winters and short cool summers. The name "Alamosa" means "cottonwood" in Spanish. The city is on the Rio Grande which is crossed by two auto bridges and one rail bridge in town. Auto traffic is served by U.S. Highway 160 running east and west and U.S. Highway 285 and State Highway 17 running north and south. Alamosa is served by the San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad and is the county seat of Alamosa County, Colorado.
Adams State College is located in Alamosa. ASC is a four year, state supported college founded in 1921 and offering degrees in several fields including business and education. ASC's track team is internationally recognized. The town hosts a Sunshine Festival which occurs the first weekend in June. Alamosa was established in May, 1878 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railway and quickly became an important rail center. Alamosa is located in the highest general agricultural land in the United States and local farmers specialize in growing cool weather crops. Elevation is about 7500 feet in Alamosa with peaks over 14,000 feet within 23 miles of town.
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Facilities
Alamosa is the shopping center for the San Luis Valley and boasts a WalMart Supercenter and two supermarkets, Safeway and City Market, a subsidiary of Kroger. There are a number of fast food restaurants, two medical clinics and a regional hospital, San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center.
Geography
Image:COMap-doton-Alamosa.PNG Alamosa is located at 37°28'8" North, 105°52'25" West (37.468835, -105.873686)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.3 km² (4.0 mi²).
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Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 7,960 people, 2,974 households, and 1,769 families residing in the city. The population density was 770.3/km² (1,995.0/mi²). There were 3,215 housing units at an average density of 311.1/km² (805.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 68.53% White, 1.41% Black or African American, 2.20% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 0.26% Pacific Islander, 22.36% from other races, and 4.28% from two or more races. 46.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,974 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.5% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 21.8% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,453, and the median income for a family was $33,017. Males had a median income of $27,100 versus $22,671 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,405. 25.0% of the population and 18.1% of families were below the poverty line. 30.4% of those under the age of 18 and 17.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Famous or Notable Alamosans
- Ken Salazar, U.S. Senator from Colorado, (Democrat)
- Carlos F. Lucero, Famous Judge